Strong and True

Notre Dame's Third Heisman Trophy: Leon Hart (1949)

As a four-year letterwinner with the Fighting Irish, Leon Hart (‘50) did not lose a single game (36-0-2) and was a three-time first-team All-American. In 1949, he was voted the Associated Press male athlete of the year, so it should probably come as no surprise that he also became Notre Dame’s third Heisman Trophy winner, following that season. The Turtle Creek, Penn. native caught 19 passes for 257 yards and five touchdowns, while also running for 73 yards on 18 carries and recovering three fumbles. A right end, he is one of only two linemen to ever win the Heisman and part of the last wave of two-way players. This ‘Strong and True’ moment features University of Notre Dame Archives photos from Hart’s Heisman season and memorable Fighting Irish career.